 | |
| Broadcast area | Biloxi-Gulfport-Pascagoula-New Orleans |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 107.9MHz (HD Radio) |
| Branding | “Kicker 108” |
| Programming | |
| Languages | English |
| Format | Hot country |
| Subchannels |
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| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| WGCM,WGCM-FM,WROA,WZNF | |
| History | |
First air date | February 14, 1966; 59 years ago (1966-02-14) |
Call sign meaning | Kicker |
| Technical information[1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 17477 |
| Class | C |
| ERP | 100,000watts |
| HAAT | 465.2 meters (1,526 ft) |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website |
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WZKX (107.9FM, "Kicker 108") is acommercialradio stationlicensed toBay St. Louis, Mississippi and serving theGulfport–Biloxi-Pascagoularadio market. Due to its 100,000 watt power, the station is also heard all throughout the metro New Orleans radio market. It broadcasts acountry musicformat and is owned by Coast Radio Group.[2] Itsstudios are on Lorraine Road in Gulfport.
WZKX is aClass C FM station. It has aneffective radiated power (ERP) of 100,000watts, the maximum for most FM stations. Thetransmittertower is located on City Bridge Road inPerkinston and at 1,680 feet above sea level, is taller than theEmpire State Building today.[3] WZKX broadcasts usingHD Radio technology. The HD2digital subchannel carries aclassic rock format, known as "The Quake." The HD3 subchannel playsrhythmic adult contemporary music, known as "The Hype."
The stationsigned on the air on February 14, 1966; 59 years ago (1966-02-14).[4] Its originalcall sign was WRPM-FM, thesister station of WRPM1530 AM (nowsilent). WRPM-AM-FM had theircity of license inPoplarville. They were owned by Ben O. Griffin and largelysimulcast their programming. Even though WRPM-FM was powered at the maximum 100,000 watts, its signal was limited by its short antenna height of only 175 feet (53 m).
In the late 1970s, WRPM-FM split its programming from the AM station. It was one of the onlyalbum rock radio stations on the Gulf Coast. The studios were located in Orange Grove just north of Gulfport. Rock 107 played harder-edged rock acts, fromBoston toRush. A "Power Rock Song" was heard at the beginning of each hour and thedisc jockeys were free to play the rock albums they wanted.
Similar to the plot in the 1978 movie,FM, management decided in 1982 to end the free form format and go with aplaylist of airing only the best selling albums. Some DJs, like late night host Jeff Davis, left the station, though Mark "In the Middle" McGraw remained.
In 1982, the station relocated to atower taller than theEmpire State Building. The power and antenna height allowed the station to reach east toMobile, west toNew Orleans and north toLaurel. It became aTop 40 station branded asPower 108 . The original Power 108 airstaff was Bryan Rhodes in mornings, with the late Dave Melton, Sr. doing news, Mark McGraw hosting middays (Mark in the Middle), P.D. The Real Rick James doing afternoons, Mark ("The Top Gun") Gunn heard in the evening and Reverend Red (Collins Powell) covering late nights.
In September 1994, the station flipped to country and branded asKicker 108. As of March 1, 2023, WZKX broadcasts usingHD radio technology with three HDdigital subchannels.
30°45′07″N89°03′25″W / 30.752°N 89.057°W /30.752; -89.057